Quitting smoking video to be shot on Public Square

MEDINA — Community members will head to Public Square this weekend to make a video about quitting smoking during the first Medina Smoke-Out.

An initiative of Leadership Medina County, the event will be 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and feature live music and resources for quitting smoking.

Steve Viny, one of the project leaders with Leadership Medina County, said there will be a candlelight vigil of 1,200 candles, one for every person, on average, who dies each day from smoking.

“We’re hoping that we get the word out and show (people) what smoking really can do, and if you quit, your body really can regenerate,” Viny said. “If we can reduce the number of smokers in Medina County, I think that says something about the community.”

The event leaders have partnered with the Cleveland Clinic and have received support via a resolution from Medina County commissioners.

The public is invited to participate in making the video, which will be put on YouTube, Viny said.

“It’s going to be a crazy video,” Viny said. “We’re hoping it will get millions of hits.”

The event will be held rain or shine.

With all the health care debates, Viny said, combating smoking should be a top priority.

“People always look to their employers for better health care,” Viny said. “Quitting smoking is probably the single best thing you could do to improve your health.

“If only one person decides to quit smoking as a result of our event, it was a win.”